Equipment and Technology Upgrade

This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the 'Recovery Act') and by 42 U.S.C. 3751(a). The stated purposes of the Recovery Act are: to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery; to assist those most impacted by the recession; to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and to stabilize state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases. The Recovery Act places great emphasis on accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer dollars.

Among other things, it creates a new Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and a new website ' Recovery.gov ' to provide information to the public, including access to detailed information on grants and contracts made with Recovery Act funds.

The Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funded under the Recovery Act is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Recovery JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. Recovery JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

The city of Springfield, through the Springfield Police Department (SPD), will utilize funds for an equipment and technology upgrade project. The goal of this project is to identify,replace,or upgrade identified systems and equipment in support of the delivery of law enforcement and public safety functions. The SPD is in need of updated equipment. The current equipment is at or beyond its useful service life. Financially, city of Springfield has struggled to fund basic public safety services for a number of years. The equipment the SPD will purchase is critical to ensure the seamless delivery of police services. Some of the identified technology is considered cutting edge, and will assist with streamlining certain processes. The remaining items to be purchased will be basic equipment in need of replacement. The SPD will purchase the following types of equipment: radio communication equipment, patrol vehicle laptops, police dogs, motorcycles, and traffic enforcement equipment for the traffic bureau and community policing unit. In addition, equipment for the Springfield Training Academy will be purchased.

NCA/NCF